Volume 16 Number 4, SUMMER 1999

THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION'S LEGISLATIVE BODY -- the Board of Governors of the Stanford Medical Alumni Association -- voted at its May 1999 session to publish the minutes of its twice yearly meetings in Stanford MD. The first edition follows. I trust readers will find it of interest. As always, your comments and suggestions are encouraged.

Ross D. Bright, MD

ASSOCIATE DEAN FOR MEDICAL ALUMNI AFFAIRS

Stanford University School of Medicine

BOARD NOTES

From the May 7, 1999, meeting of the Board of Governors of the Stanford Medical Alumni Association. ATTENDEES: Drs. Chauncey Behrens, Ross Bright, Annette Chavez, James Chu, Linda Hawes Clever, Luther Cobb, Bob Cody, Marvin Engel, Newton Harband, Susan Knox, Ann Lanzerotti, Roger Peeks, Arthur Riesenfeld and David Sachs. Medical Students: Lyn Aborn, Michael Ennen and David Nix. Staff: Dennis Mulhaupt and Kaleo Waxman.

WELCOME: ROGER PEEKS AND ROSS BRIGHT

Dr. Peeks greeted everyone and asked all present to introduce themselves. Dr. Bright then introduced Dr. Knox, one of the new board members. Following this, the board recognized medical student Michael Ennen.

SWEAT: MICHAEL ENNEN

Mr. Ennen gave an overview of the Student Wilderness Experience Active Orientation Trip (SWEAT) Program, a camping trip for incoming medical students. He also stated that a new SWEAT program for significant others would be created. Mr. Ennen also made a request on behalf of the Stanford Medical Student Association (SMSA) and medical students, asking for an increase of support for 1999-2000, from $4,000 dollars to $6,000. This would enable them to buy some camping equipment and reduce reliance on rented equipment. MOTION TAKEN: Dr. Clever nominated the motion and Dr. Chavez seconded. Vote: Passed.

COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE: MARVIN ENGEL

Dr. Engel reported on the last committee meeting, mentioning discussion of the alumni association's Web site -- specifically, how far can the alumni association (SMAA) go with its Web site given the association's staff and budget. The committee also asked that SMAA staff consult with the campus Web site-support department. ACTIONS: The committee asked Dr. Bright to revisit the mentorship program with the administration and provide an update. The committee asked that the class representatives directory be updated on the SMAA Web site so that all classes are represented. Additionally, the committee would like to understand the involvement of Harris Publishing Co. with the alumni directory, SMAA Web site, and post-it board for communication among alumni.

PLANNING COMMITTEE: ANN LANZEROTTI

Dr. Lanzerotti stated that the Physician-to-Physician breakfast series was a big hit. Drs. Cody, Harband and Sachs commented on the great speaker and topic, the positive feedback during the Q&A session, and on the opportunity for one-on-one discussions between audience members and the speaker. Dr. Lanzerotti also updated the board on the graduation picnic and commented that the committee is considering the graduating medical school students' suggestion to change the Match Day gift. Possibilities include either a travel clock or an engraved clock. ACTION: The alumni office staff was asked by the committee to do a student survey with the help of the SMSA to find out what type of Match Day gift the graduating students would like.

NOMINATING COMMITTEE: LINDA HAWES CLEVER

Dr. Clever stated that the committee selected three new board members and a new president-elect for 1999-2000. The three new board members are Drs. Susan Knox, Joshua Prager and Bradley Zlotnick. The president-elect will be Dr. Robert Cody. Dr. Clever also asked the board members if they could offer future board nominees. The following are potential future board members: Drs. Al Chasnoff, Abe De Anda, Myron Gananian, Richard Horn, Efren Rosas, Gary Steinberg, Bruce Tune and Laurie Weisberg.

Next Dr. Clever stated that the committee needed feedback from the board concerning the J.E. Wallace Sterling Award. The questions: Should the award be only for those who are active in the Stanford community or for those who are active in the community at large? And should the award be based on career standards exemplifying "Stanford" or should it bring philanthropic activities into the equation as well? It was thought by the entire board that the award should be given to those inside and outside the Stanford community whose careers are exceptional in any of the following areas: community service, career accomplishments (clinical and research), and philanthropy. After clarifying the award standards the board put forth three more names for the Sterling award: Drs. William Blaisdell, Jess Shenson, Donald Tsang. ACTION: The nominating committee will meet in the next week to choose one or more nominee. Action: The SMAA office is to get the CVs for Drs. Blaisdell, Shenson and Tsang to the nominating committee before the meeting.

DEAN'S REPORT: ROSS BRIGHT

Dr. Bright commented that the "On the Road" events are in full swing and that there will be events during the summer in Los Angeles, San Diego and Seattle. All events will be attended by Dean Bauer and hosted by the SMAA and the School of Medicine. He discussed upcoming Physician-to-Physician breakfasts.

MEDICAL REUNIONS: KALEO WAXMAN

Ms. Waxman reported registration figures for alumni reunion weekend events: Thursday dinner, 90 adults (and 8 children); symposium, 225; class dinners, 265. Ms. Waxman also noted that interest was high in the following reunion offerings: tours of Fogarty Winery, Cantor Arts Center, and the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center; and "Classes Without Quizzes" on Alzheimer's disease, meditation and cancer treatments. SMD